Cotton-chopping machine



(N Model.)

A. Gr. DESHAZO.

COTTON GHOPPING MACHINE. No. 393.8281. Patented Deo. 4, 1888.-

Suva/Vitez @V608 new.

UNITED STATES,

PATENT OFFICE.

'ALBERT GALLATIN DESHAZO, OF CYPRESS RIDGE, ARKANSAS.

COTTON-CHOPPING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 393,821, dated December 4, 1888.

(No model.)

Application filed July 26, 1888. Serial No. 281,070.

T0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT GALLATIN DESHAZO, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cypress Ridge, in the county of Monroe and State of Arkansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cotton-Chopping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in cotton-chopping machines; and it consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying draudngs, and pointed out in the appended claims. r

Figure l of the drawings represents a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 represents a central longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 3 represents a central transverse section of the machine. Fig. 4 represents in detail the cam and disk in the relative positions in which they stand when the machine is adjusted to operate. Fig. 5 represents the same elements when in position to prevent vthe chopper-blades from operating.

Referring to the drawings by letter, A designates the rectangular main frame of the machine; B, the tongue standing centrally from the front t-ransverse rail, a, thereof, and C C the handles having their front ends secured to the side rails of the main frame and braced and supported by the uprights c c, that rise from the rear ends of" said side rails. The handles are connected-by the transverse bar c near their upper ends.

D is the roller orycasing for the chopperblades, composed of the end boards, d d', preferably octagonal, but which may have any desired number of similar edges, and the boards d2, connecting the opposite edges of said end boards.

E' is the shaft or axle passing centrally` through openings in the end boards and with its ends squared and inserted in suitable opposite openings in the side rails of the main frame. The casing D turns on the shaft as the machine progresses and has, within, the operative mechanism.

F F are openings betweenthe edges f of the end board, d, and the transverse board d2, through which openings pass the chopperblades, hereinafter described, and'G G are recesses in the outer surface of said end board, standing radially inward, and with the central perforations, g, for a purpose hereinafter explained.

H H are Yblocks resting in the recesses G and connected to 'the boss h of the end board, d, by the spring-bars h. The said blocks have the pins h2 standing inward from them through the corresponding openings or perforations g andprojecting into the casing.

I I are the chopper-blades, rectangular in shape, projecting out of the openings F, seated centrally against the inner surface of the transverse boards d2, (in which they are held by guide-staples /L',) and provided with t-he shanks J, each of which has the inwardlyprojecting arm j at its inner end and the similar arm, j', at its junction with the corresponding blade, the latter arm having its outer or engaging surface rounded, as shown.

K is a cam secured upon the aXle to the outer sides of the arms j and having the inclined cam-face k on its inner side t0` engage against the arms j and force the chopper- Vblades inward.

L L are U-shaped springs secured to the inner surface of the end board, d', theirbends being inward and their outer legs bolted or otherwise attached to said end board. inner free legs of said springs bear against the armsj of the Shanks of the chopper-blades and force the latter outward" when released from the cam-face le, the blades escaping past the transverse shoulder 7c at the end of the cam.

M is a disk on the shaft or aXle, provided with a cam-surface, fm, on its outer side parallel to and facing the face k of the cam K. The said disk is provided with the radial shoulders N N, respectively, the former of which stands a suitable distance from the shoulder k of the cam in the direction opposite that of the rotation of the axle, so that the Shanks of the chopper-blades can readily escape between the shoulders N and k when the springs are permitted to force the chopper-blades outward. The inner surface of the disk is dat and the said disk can be turned slightly on the shaft or axle and the shoulders N and k made to abut against each other by the rod O, which lies in a groove in the axle, iny which it is retained by staples,

The

IOO

and has an arm, o, that projects radially from the shaft or axle and has its end secured to the disk, as shown in Fig. The said rod O has a radial arm, o', outside of the end board, which has its end outstanding, as at o2, and engaged to the inner end of a handle, P, which is provided in its lower edge with notches p p', that engage upon the transverse bar c. dien the notch p is so engaged, the shoulders N and k will be disconnected, and when the notch p is engaged on the bar the said notches abut and the shanks of the hopper-blades cannot be sprung outward therebetween. The disk is moved into the latter position when there are stumps or other obstructions on the ground. The shoulder 7s is so placed that the chopper-blades will be sprung out when the corresponding boards, d2, rest on the ground. dien the chopper-blade is forced outward by the corresponding spring, its arm j strikes against the corresponding arm, 712, and drives the block H outward, throwing the dirt and grass out of the way between the ful-rows.

My device is intended to chop the cotton but once and leave a stand.

In practice a scraper is first drawn along the ground between the rows of plants, after which the chopper is drawn alon the scraperfurrow at the left-hand side of the row, the right-hand side of the chopper being held close to the plants. As the drum oreasingis drawn along every time a blade is brought to its lowest position it is forced outward by the spring in rear of the same, thereby chopping out the plants, so as to leave them growing in hills at regular intervals apart.

It will be readily understood, of course,that the size ot' the chopping-blades is varied accordingly as it is desired to have the hills at a greater or less distance apart. It will also be understood that the scraper forms a tlat smooth furrow, so that when the chopper is drawn therealong it will run regularly and evenly.

Having described my invention, I claiml. In a cotton-chopper, the combination of the chopper blades having shanks lying againstl and moving on the inner surface of the sides of the casing, the springs securedto one end of the casing and forcing said shanks and blades outward, and the cam attached to the axle and driving the blades inward against the action of said springs, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the casing composed of angular end boards, preferably octagonal in contour, and side boards connecting the opposite edges ot' said end boards, the chopper-blades with their edges projecting through openings adjoining the edges of the adjacent end board and moving on the inner surfaces of the corresponding side or transverse boards, which blades are provided with shanks having the inward-standing arms jj, the U- shaped springs bearing in the arms'j, and the cam K, having the cam-face k and transverse shoulder lf', substantially as specified.

il. The combination of the casing, the chopper-knives having the armsjj, the U-shaped springs, the cam having the cam-face k and shoulder 7.", the disk M, having the shoulders N N', the rod having the arms 0 o', and the handle l), pivoted or connected to the end of the arm o and provided in its under edge with the notches j) p to engage the transverse bar c', substantially as specified.

t. The combination of the chopper-blades having the shanks J, provided with the projecting armsjj and passing through openings F, the blocks ll, lying in the recesses G and provided with the pins 712, standing through the openings g in the paths of the arms j', and the spring arms or bars 71, connecting said blocks to the bars of the end board, d, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses:

ALBERT GALLATIN DESIIAZO.

'itnesses:

CHAs. W. BRICKELL, MONROE A. DUNLAP. 

